Chair-arm cup receptacle

ABSTRACT

A cup receptacle for attachment to the end of the arm of a chair is provided. A cup tray is cantilevered beyond the end of the chair-arm from a mounting on the end of the chair-arm. The mounting is in turn secured to the chair by bendable tabs from the mounting arm.

O Umted States Patent 1151 3,675,969 Gage [451 July 11, 1972 [541CHAIR-ARM CUP RECEPTACLE 1,888,649 11/1932 Anderson 108/28 x [72]Inventor: Charles H. Gage, 1913 spruce Avenue, 3,271,070 9/1966 Dlouhyet al. ..297/ 194 Chico Calif 95926 3,338,628 8/1967 Evans ..297/1883,494,661 2/1970 Leyburn .....297/188 [22] Filed: Jan. 6, 1971 3,533,59010/1970 Swire ..248/311 [21] Appl' 104387 Primary Examiner-James T.McCall Attorney-Townsend & Townsend [52] US. Cl ..297/194 [51] Int. Cl.L ..A47c 7/62 [57] ABSTRACT [58] Field 0! Search gg g fi i g A clipreceptacle for attachment to the end of the arm of a chair is provided.A cup tray is cantilevered beyond the end of the chair-arm from amounting on the end of the chair-arm. [56] References Cited The mountingis in tum secured to the chair by bendable tabs UNITED STATES PATENTSfrom the mounting 1,375,573 4/1921 Dennis ..297/194 X 17 Claims, 3Drawing figures PATENTEDJUL H m2 INVENTOR. CHARLES H. GAGE a-( a-6JK4%ATTORNEYS CHAIR-ARM cup RECEPTACLE This invention relates to areceptacle for cups, and more particularly to a receptacle forsupporting a cup in a cantilevered fashion beyond the end of the arm ofa chair.

l-leretofore, chair-arm receptacles for cups including those comprisinga recess in the chair-arm for receiving a cup, have been positioned nearthe forward end of the chair-arm. As the length of a chair-arm istypically coextensive with the length of the forearm and hand of anaverage person sitting in the chair, a cup supported in such a chair-armreceptacle may easily be tipped over by inadvertent movement of thechair occupiers arm. Further, the positioning of the cup in the arm ofthe chair causes discomfort and interferes with the rest and relaxationof the occupant; movement of his arm must constantly be restricted if heis to avoid disturbing the cup.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a cup holder forsupporting a cup in space beyond the end of the arm of a chair.

As an advantage of this invention, the cup is positioned beyond thenormal reach of the chair occupant. Carried out of harm's way, the cupis less likely to be upset by inadvertent movement of the occupier'sarm.

As another advantage of this invention, the comfort of the chairoccupant is increased because he no longer need restrict movement andplacement of his arm over the chair-arm in order to avoid spilling thecup.

It is another object of this invention to provide a cup receptaclehaving a cup tray supported in space beyond the end of the chair-arm byan arm mounting contiguous with the cup tray and overlying the end ofthe chair-arm. The arm mounting comprises an apertured rectangular rim,the aperture exposing the chairarm beneath. Flexible mounting tabsextending through the aperture are fastened to the chair-arm to securethe cup receptacle in place.

As an advantage of the arm mounting of this invention, the cupreceptacle may be readily mounted to the flat surface at the end of achair-arm by bending the flexible tabs into an I..- shapedconfiguration, and then securing the tabs to the top surface of thechair-arm with screws.

As a further advantage of the present invention, easy installation ofthe cup receptacle is afforded to chair-arms having preexistingreceptacles in their arms. The aperture of the rectangular ring isaligned above the existing cavity; and thereafter the flexible tabs bentdownwardly to extend through the aperture into the chair-arm cavity. Thetabs are secured to the sidewalls of the chair cavity by means ofscrews.

As yet another advantage of the arm mounting of this invention, acigarette ash tray of low silhouette may be received by and supportedwithin the aperture of the arm mounting rim. The chair cup receptaclethus serves not only as a support for the cup, but also as a support foran ash tray. Because of its low profile, the ash tray, though mounted onthe chair-arm, does not interfere with the comfort of the chairoccupant.

The present invention will now be described by reference to thefollowing drawings wherein;

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the chair-amt cup receptacle of thisinvention, the arm to which it is attached shown in fragmentedperspective;

FIG. 2 is a partially cut-away side view of the chair-arm receptacle ofFIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a fragmented, side view of the chair-arm cup receptacle ofFIG. 1 secured to the top surface of a chair-arm.

With reference to the figures wherein like numerals represent likeelements throughout the several views, a chairarm cup receptacle A isillustrated having a cup tray B supported in a cantilevered fashionbeyond the end of a chair-arm C by a rectangular arm mounting D. Armmounting D has a central rectangular ash tray aperture through which apair of oppositely opposed flexible tabs E extend, these tabs secured tothe walls of an existing cavity in the arm of the chair. Ash tray F oflow silhouette is received within the central rectangular ash trayaperture of the arm mounting.

Cup tray B includes a circular cup support disc 10. Cylindrical wall 12extends upwardly a short distance from disc 10, circumscribing theperimeter to define a shallow, circular, disc-like cup tray. Cylindricalwall 14, concentric with wall 12, delimits the outer boundary of the cuptray. Wall 14 extends from the first corner at one end of therectangular arm mounting rim to the opposite comer at the same end ofthe rim. Doughnut-shaped surface 16, defining a concentric circularaperture coextensive with disc 10, extends across the annular openingbetween cylindrical walls 12 and 14.

The rectangular rim of arm mounting is contiguous with and extends fromcup tray B. Rim D is bounded by paired vertical sidewalls l8 and avertical rear wall 19. Walls 18 and 19 are bounded at their top edge byrectangular. apertured surface 20 which is coplanar with doughnut-shapedsurface 16. From a central rectangular ash tray aperture in surface 20,interior sidewalls 21 and interior end walls 22 extend perpendicularlydownwardly.

It is often the case that the chair-arms are sloped downwardly from thefront to the back of the chair, as illustrated in the FIGS. 1-3. Tomaintain the cup tray in a horizontal plane, rim D is constructed havinga bottom slope complementary to the top slope of the average arm.Experience has shown that an angle of 4 30' is average for most slopedchairarms.

Arrn mounting D is designed at its bottom surface to attach to the topsurface of a chair arm. Mounting is provided by flexible tabs E. Theseflexible mounting tabs E extending from surface 20 are bent downwardlythrough the ash tray aperture in the rectangular surface to lie flatagainst the inner walls 24 of an existing cavity in the chair-arm C.Screws 26, passed through a hole adjacent the end of tabs E are threadedinto the arm of the chair to secure the receptacle in place.

The arm of the chair to which the chair-arm cup receptacle is attachedmay not have an existing opening. In such a case, the flexible mountingtabs E can be bent into an L-shaped configuration as illustrated in FIG.3 and fitted flush against the top surface of the arm C. Screws 26 arethen passed through the hole adjacent the end of each tab and threadedinto the arm of the chair to secure the chair-arm receptacle in place.

A pair of oppositely opposed flanges 28 extend downwardly from surface20 and across sidewalls 21. These flanges have a raised dimple 30. Ashtray F having an outwardly annular collar 32 is received within theaperture in the arm mounting. Dimples 30 press inwardly against theouter surface of the walls of the ash tray to provide a friction fit,thus stabilizing the ash tray within the ash tray aperture. Annularcollar 32 overlies surface 20 to support the ash tray within theaperture.

As can be seen from FIG. 2, concentric cylindrical walls 12 and 14, andsurface 16 form a ring having a U-shaped crosssection. Such across-section imparts increased rigidity to the cup tray. The chairoccupant, is less likely to accidently bend or twist the tray by theexertion of pressure thereon as he sits down in or raises from thechair.

To install the chair-arm cup receptacle of this invention, it is firstpositioned over the end of the arm of the chair. If the arm has anexisting cavity, the ash tray therein and its mounting ring are removedand the aperture in the arm mounting is superimposed above this cavity.With the chair-arm receptacle properly positioned, the mounting tabs Eare bent downwardly into the cavity. Screws 26 are passed through thetabs and threaded into the sidewalls of the cavity. The previouslyremoved ash tray F may then be inserted into the aperture in the armmounting.

If the chair does not have a preexisting cavity, the mounting tabs arebent to an L-shaped configuration, the bottom leg of the L set flushagainst the upper surface of the chair-arm C. Screws 26 are then passedthrough holes provided at the end of the mounting tabs and threaded intothe chair-arm. With the cup receptacle secured to the chair-arm, an ashtray F can then be inserted into the ash tray aperture of the armmountmg.

The chair-arm receptacle of this invention may be formed out of anysuitably strong material. It is preferred to use chrome-plated orstainless steel because of the strength of these materials and the easeby which the flexible mounting tabs may be integrally formed with thereceptacle. It is also contemplated that the chair-arm receptable ofthis invention be formed of plastic and made of any desirable color. Thesurface of the plastic receptacle may be modified to simulate theappearance of upholstery or leather.

The width of the arm mounting portion can be coextensive with the widthof the end of the chair-arm to which it is mounted. By so sizing the armmounting, worn portions of the chair-arm upholstery are concealedbeneath the arm mounting when the chair-arm receptacle is secured inplace.

It should be apparent that while the mounting tabs have been describedas extending from surface 20, they can extend from any point along theside walls 21 or 22 of the arm mounting, such as from the bottom ofthese walls. Likewise, other modifications will be readily apparent tothose of ordinary skill in the art, and are deemed to be within thescope of this invention as defined by the following claims.

lclaim:

l. A cup holder for mounting to a chair-arm comprising: a receptacledefining a concavity for receiving and holding a cup; a mountingconnected to said receptacle at one end for the cantilevered support ofsaid receptacle from said one end; said mounting defining a lowersurface resting on the upper surface of a chair-arm; and at least oneflexible tab attached to said mounting at the upper end and extendingsubstantially vertically downward to the surface of said chair-arm atthe lower end for attachment to the upper surface of said chairarm.

2. The invention of claim 1 and wherein said tab is formed from bendablematerial.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 and wherein said cup receptacle isdesignedto support said cup in a first plane and said defined surface at thebottom of said mounting is within a second plane.

4. The invention of claim 3 wherein said surfaces are inclined withrespect to one another at an angle of 4 30'.

5. in combination, the elements comprising: a chair having at least onearm; areceptacle defining a concavity for receiving and holding a cup; amounting connected to said receptacle at one end for the cantileveredsupport of said receptacle from said one end, said mounting defining alower surface resting on the upward portion of said chair-arm; and atleast one flexible tab attached to said mounting at the upper end andextending downwardly to the surface of said chair-arm at the lower endfor attachment to said chair-arm, said mounting secured to saidchair-arm at its end to support said receptacle in space beyond the endof the arm of the chair.

6. The invention of claim 5 and wherein the flexible tab is bent in anL-shaped configuration with the bottom leg of the L attached to the topsurface of the chair-arm.

7. The invention of claim 5 and wherein the chair-arm defines apreexisting cavity adjacent its end, the bendable mounting tabsextending downwardly into said cavity in the chair-arm and attached tothe walls of said cavity.

8. The invention of claim 5 and wherein the top surface of the arm ofthe chair is sloped, and the mounting has a sloped bottom surface whichis complementary to the slope of the top surface of the arm.

9. The invention of claim 8 and wherein said sloped surfaces areinclined at an angle of 4" 30.

10. The invention of claim 5 and further including an ash tray with anupper annular collar; and an aperture of complementary sectionconfigured in said mounting for receiving said ash tray and supportingthe lower surface of said annular collar to hold said ash tray.

1 l. A cup holder for mounting to a chair-arm comprising: a receptacledefining a concavity for receiving and holding a cup, a mounting at oneend of said receptacle for cantilevered su on of said reciptacle fromsaid one end, said mountin de imng a lower su ace resting on the uppersurface of sai chair-arm, said mounting having an aperture configuredtherein for receiving an ashtray with an upper annular collar and asection complementary to said aperture, the lower surface of saidannular collar being supported by the periphery of said aperture.

12. Apparatus according to claim 1 1 wherein said chair-arm is inclinedat an angle with respect to the horizontal and wherein the lower surfaceof said mounting is inclined at a complementary angle to support saidcup on a horizontal plane.

13. Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said mounting includes atleast one tab extending downwardly to the surface of said chair-arm forattachment to the upper surface of said chair-arm.

14. Apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said chair-arm includes acavity in the upper surface thereof, said cup holder being disposed withsaid aperture being in registration with said cavity to permit saidashtray to extend downwardly into said cavity and said tab extendingdownwardly into said cavity for attachment to said chair-arm.

14. A cup holder for mounting to a chair arm having an inclined uppersurface comprising: a receptacle defining a concavity for receiving andholding a cup, and a mounting at one end of said receptacle forcantilevered support of said receptacle from said one end, said mountingdefining a lower surface resting on the upper surface of said chair arm,the lower surface of said mounting being inclined at an anglecomplementary to the inclination of the upper surface of said chair armto support said cup on a horizontal plane.

16. Apparatus according to claim 15 wherein said mounting includes anaperture configured therein for receiving an ashtray with an upperannular collar and a section complementary to said aperture, the lowersurface of said annular collar being supported by the periphery of saidaperture.

17. Apparatus according to claim 16 wherein said chair arm includes acavity in the upper surface thereof, said cup holder being disposed withsaid aperture being in registration with said cavity to permit saidashtray to extend downwardly into said cavity.

1. A cup holder for mounting to a chair-arm comprising: a receptacledefining a concavity for receiving and holding a cup; a mountingconnected to said receptacle at one end for the cantilevered support ofsaid receptacle from said one end; said mounting defining a lowersurface resting on the upper surface of a chair-arm; and at least oneflexible tab attached to said mounting at the upper end and extendingsubstantially vertically downward to the surface of said chair-arm atthe lower end for attachment to the upper surface of said chair-arm. 2.The invention of claim 1 and wherein said tab is formed from bendablematerial.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 and wherein said cup receptacle isdesigned to support said cup in a first plane and said defined surfaceat the bottom of said mounting is within a second plane.
 4. Theinvention of claim 3 wherein said surfaces are inclined with respect toone another at an angle of 4* 30''.
 5. In combination, the elementscomprising: a chair having at least one arm; a receptacle defining aconcavity for receiving and holding a cup; a mounting connected to saidreceptacle at one end for the cantilevered support of said receptaclefrom said one end, said mounting defining a lower surface resting on theupward portion of said chair-arm; and at least one flexible tab attachedto said mounting at the upper end and extending downwardly to thesurface of said chair-arm at the lower end for attachment to saidchair-arm, said mounting secured to said chair-arm at its end to supportsaid receptacle in space beyond the end of the arm of the chair.
 6. Theinvention of claim 5 and wherein the flexible tab is bent in an L-shapedconfiguration with the bottom leg of the L attached to the top surfaceof the chair-arm.
 7. The invention of claim 5 and wherein the chair-armdefines a preexisting cavity adjacent its end, the bendable mountingtabs extending downwardly into said cavity in the chair-arm and attachedto the walls of said cavity.
 8. The invention of claim 5 and wherein thetop surface of the arm of the chair is sloped, and the mounting has asloped bottom surface which is complementary to the slope of the topsurface of the arm.
 9. The invention of claim 8 and wherein said slopedsurfaces are inclined at an angle of 4* 30''.
 10. The invention of claim5 and further including an ash tray with an upper annular collar; and anaperture of complementary section configured in said mounting forreceiving said ash tray and supporting the lower surface of said annularcollar to hold said ash tray.
 11. A cup holder for mounting to achair-arm comprising: a receptacle defining a concavity for receivingand holding a cup, a mounting at one end of said receptacle forcantilevered support of said receptacle from said one end, said mountingdefining a lower surface resting on the upper surface of said chair-arm,said mounting having an aperture configured therein for receiving anashtray with an upper annular collar and a section complementary to saidaperture, the lower surface of said annular collar being supported bythe periphery of said aperture.
 12. Apparatus according to claim 11wherein said chair-arm is inclined at an angle with respect to thehorizontal and wherein the lower surface of said mounting is inclined ata complementary angle to support said cup on a horizontal plane. 13.Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said mounting includes at leastone tab extending downwardly to the surface of said chair-arm forattachment to the upper surface of said chair-arm.
 14. Apparatusaccording to claim 13 wherein said chair-arm includes a cavity in theupper surface thereof, said cup holder being disposed with said aperturebeing in registration with said cavity to permit said ashtray to extenddownwardly into said cavity and said tab extending downwardly into saidcavity for attachment to said chair-arm.
 14. A cup holder for mountingto a chair arm having an inclined upper surface comprising: a receptacledefining a concavity for receiving and holding a cup, and a mounting atone end of said receptacle for cantilevered support of said receptaclefrom said one end, said mounting defining a lower surface resting on theupper surface of said chair arm, the lower surface of said mountingbeing inclined at an angle complementary to the inclination of the uppersurface of said chair arm to support said cup on a horizontal plane. 16.Apparatus according to claim 15 wherein said mounting includes anaperture configured therein for receiving an ashtray with an upperannular collar and a section complementary to said aperture, the lowersurface of said annular collar being supported by the periphery of saidaperture.
 17. Apparatus according to claim 16 wherein said chair armincludes a cavity in the upper surface thereof, said cup holder beingdisposed with said aperture being in registration with said cavity topermit said ashtray to extend downwardly into said cavity.